October 16, 2024 — Faith communities in Canada are praying for peace in the Philippines.
That is why they are urging Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to support peace negotiations between with Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the revolutionary coalition National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).
In particular, religious organizations are suggesting that Trudeau should take up this matter when he welcomes Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sometime this fall during the latter’s widely anticipated Canadian state visit.
“Should such a visit occur, we urge Prime Minister Trudeau to use the opportunity to press strongly for the resumption of the peace talks and to clearly convey to President Marcos Jr. that the measures the Philippine government is taking to respect human rights and to bring about a resumption of the peace talks will be examined when Canada considers initiatives to deepen the relationship between the two countries,” faith leaders wrote in a letter.
The letter dated October 1, 2024 was addressed to Mélanie Joly, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The letter was sent on behalf of the United Church of Canada, Anglican Church of Canada, KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, Evangelical Church in Canada, Development and Peace, Presbyterian Church in Canada, and the Philippine Independent Church.
“We believe there is a critical opportunity this fall for Canada to influence the resumption of the peace talks and to demonstrate its commitment to international human rights, peacebuilding and women’s participation in peace processes.”
The religious leaders noted that recent developments in the Philippines “present an opportunity for Canada this fall to support a path towards a just peace”.
They recalled that on November 23, 2023, the GRP and the NDFP released a joint statement indicating a possible resumption of peace negotiations.
“This month, both parties re-affirmed their commitment to the resumption of the peace talks and the Presidential Peace Adviser acknowledged the need to remove the conditions hindering the forging of a final peace agreement with the NDFP. Canada’s public support and encouragement could be key.”
The NDFP coalition includes the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the party’s military wing, the New People’s Army (NPA).
The CPP-led NPA has been waging an armed struggle against the Philippine government since 1969.
The 55-year-old fighting has claimed the lives of thousands in the Asian country.
The late Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. cited the threat posed by the CPP-NPA as among the reasons for imposing martial law in 1972.
First elected in 1965, Marcos Sr. ruled the country until 1986, when his government was deposed by a civilian-backed military uprising that installed Corazon Aquino as new president.
The widow of assassinated political figure Benigno Aquino Jr., Corazon Aquino started peace negotiations with the NDFP and agreed to a ceasefire.
The ceasefire ended in 1987, and the peace talks collapsed.
Corazon Aquino was succeeded in office by Fidel Ramos, a former military officer, and in the following term, by her son Benigno Aquino III.
Rodrigo Duterte became president in 2016, and a new push for peace negotiations with the NDFP was made.
However, talks during the term of Duterte did not lead to a major breakthrough. Talks were terminated in 2017.
Meantime, Marcos Sr.’s only son and namesake Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ascended the presidency in 2022.
Trudeau met Marcos in 2023 at the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Indonesia, and the Canadian leader invited the latter to visit Canada.
Marcos accepted the invitation and he is expected in Canada this fall as the two countries are celebrating this year the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
The October 1, 2024 letter to Canadian foreign minister Joly was signed by Archbishop Anne Germond, Acting Primate Archbishop, Anglican Church of Canada; Rev. Susan C. Johnson, National Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada; The Right Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne, Moderator,
The United Church of Canada / L’Église Unie du Canada; Leah Reesor-Keller – Interim Executive Director, KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives; Luke Stocking, Interim Executive Director/Directeur general par interim, Development and Peace/Developpement et Paix – Caritas Canada; The Rev. Dr. Patricia Dutcher-Walls, Moderator of the 2024 General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church in Canada; Very Rev. Artemio S. Calaycay, Dean, Eastern Canada – Diocese of Tampa, Iglesia Filipina Independiente (Philippine Independent Church).
“Our call for a peaceful solution to the conflict is supported by the many churches and communities of faith across Canada that have longstanding partnerships with civil society organizations, human rights defenders and churches in the Philippines,” the religious leaders wrote.
They related that on September 1 this year, “many churches and networks in Canada participated in the International Interfaith Day of Prayer for Just Peace in the Philippines to show public support for the resumption of the peace negotiations and amplify the voices of partners”.
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